Route reference
· Optional departure time: 9:00 AM, 1:30 PM (please make sure to join the activity at the time you booked). Please meet your guide in front of the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III. The guide will be holding a Tourmania flag. No refund will be issued for late arrivals or no-shows. Please arrive 15 minutes before the departure time.
· Attraction / experience: approx. 3 hr 30 min, ① Meet at Sultanahmet Station – Basilica Cistern – Topkapi Palace – Topkapi Palace Harem. The visiting order is subject to the day's arrangement.
· Return: Return to the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III. The arrival time at the meeting point depends on the departure time and trip duration selected during booking. · This itinerary may be slightly adjusted depending on the weather or transportation conditions on the day.
Group size: 1–9 people
Inclusions
- Attraction admission ticket: Topkapi Palace
- Attraction admission ticket: Harem
- Attraction admission ticket: Basilica Cistern
- English-speaking guide
Exclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfer
- Meal
- Other personal expenses
- Gratuities
Eligibility
Same price for adults and children aged 7 and above
Child pricing applies for ages 0–6
This itinerary involves extensive walking and stair climbing. Please ensure you are physically fit for this activity.
Participants must go through airport-style security checks, which may take a long time during peak season.
The Basilica Cistern has no elevator, and participants must climb 50 steps
The rear palace station is a self-guided tour. The guide does not accompany.
The admission ticket is time-limited and will expire in 5 to 10 minutes
In case the Basilica Cistern is closed, the alternative itinerary is to visit Serefiye (Theodosius Cistern) or Binbirdirek (Philoxenos Cistern)
Prohibitions & restrictions
This activity is not suitable for visitors with disabilities.
Suggested items to bring: a headscarf
Dress code: Please do not wear flip-flops, shorts, tank tops, or sleeveless shirts to avoid being denied entry.
Women must wear headscarves when entering mosques.
This activity is not suitable for wheelchair access
Meeting point as shown below: Fountain of Sultan Ahmed IIl
Join a guided itinerary to explore Istanbul's iconic landmarks, including the Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern, with priority entry and professional guide commentary. Your journey begins in the historic Sultanahmet district, first visiting the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. You may also choose to tour the harem and imperial kitchen for an in-depth look at royal daily life. Then proceed to the Basilica Cistern, also known as the "underground palace." Stroll along the wooden walkways above the water, admire the ancient forest of stone columns, and see the famous inverted Medusa profile picture while learning about the ingenuity of Byzantine engineering.
